HORTICULTUBE. 743 



As a whole the climate and soil are so unpropitious that the outlook for apple 

 growing in Alaska is not bright. Sour cherries continue to thrive and bear 

 indifferently. Sweet cherries have proved to be a failure and so far not a 

 variety of plum gives promise of being a success. 



The notes on various small fruits are quite similar to those for previous 

 years (E. S. R., 2S, p. 436). They indicate in general that small fruits and 

 berries succeed well in Alaska. 



The vegetable trials were continued with much success at the Sitka Station 

 and also at some of the branch stations. Of the ornamentals tested, Rosa 

 rugosa is deemed the best shrub, although the Tartarian honeysuckle in all 

 varieties and the Siberian pea tree do well. Of the perennial herbaceous plants, 

 the columbine blooms profusely in the coast region. Other varieties doing 

 well are the phlox, forget-me-not, spirea, iris, primula, and the herbaceous peony. 



Report on vegetable and flower g'ardens in southeastern Alaska, J. B. W. 

 Teacy (Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 77-S2. pis. 6). — This comprises observations 

 on the character of fruit and vegetable gardens in various parts of southeastern 

 Alaska. 



The author concludes in general that the flowers do splendidly, producing 

 fully as large and as bright colored blooms as those in the States, while vege- 

 tables are of excellent quality, being unusually tender and of mild, delicate 

 flavor. Wherever satisfactory results are not secured the cause appears to be 

 due to the shiftlessness and general indifference relative to gardening rather 

 than to cultural difficulties. 



Pop com for the market, C. P. Hartley and J. G. Willieu ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 554, pp. 16, figs. 12). — A practical treatise on the culture of pop 

 corn for the market. The subject matter is discussed under the general head- 

 ings of varieties of pop corn, extent of production, popping quality, culture of 

 pop corn, market supply, and does it pay to grow pop corn. 



The authors conclude in general that if the good years are averaged up with 

 the poor ones this crop will be found to pay about as well as field corn. On the 

 other hand it would not be advisable to carry on its culture on a large scale 

 owing to the limited market for this crop. 



Pop corn for the home, C. P. Hartley and J. G. Willieb (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 553, pp. 13, figs. 9). — A popular treatise on pop corn culture, 

 including also instructions for popping corn and various methods of utilizing 

 pop corn in the home. 



Cultural studies on the Montreal market muskmelon, W. Stuart (Vermont 

 Sta. Bui. 169, pp. 103-116, pis. 4). — In continuation of previous observations 

 (B. S. R., 20, p. 335) this bulletin reports studies relative to the adaptability 

 of the Montreal muskmelon for culture in Vermont. The studies, which were 

 continued through the period 1908 to 1911, inclusive, comprised especially ob- 

 servations on the behavior of a number of different strains, both at the station 

 and also on private grounds at Chazy, N. Y., and at Montreal, Canada. Notes 

 and data are given on the behavior of the melons on the 3 testing grounds, in- 

 cluding descriptive notes and data reported by Straughn and Church, of the 

 Bureau of Chemistry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, on samples sub- 

 mitted to them for analysis. 



The following general conclusions are drawn from the studies thus far made : 

 The Montreal market muskmelon may be successfully grown in the Northeastern 

 States, provided the crop is handled as skillfully and intelligently as it is by 

 the Montreal grower. There appear to be at least 2 distinct types and possibly 

 a number of distinct strains. Chemical analysis of the melons affords some 

 guide to the selection of high quality strains. The crop is a costly one to grow, 

 but the demand exceeds the supply and the sales prices are so high that the en- 



